On the fourth day of Holyrood Week, The Queen made a surprise during the Reddendo parade.
Yesterday’s event saw over 300 officers and archers from The Queen’s Body Guard for Scotland parade in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Queen was presented with a Reddendo. (Royal Family)
The Royal Company of Archers acts as the Sovereign’s ceremonial Body Guard for Scotland, a role that was first created in 1822 by George IV during a visit to Scotland.
During the ceremony, The Queen and Prince Charles arrived by the Equerry’s Door and were met in the garden by the Captain General of the Royal Company of Archers, before receiving a royal salute. Her Majesty watched the parade in a chair.
Members of the Royal Company removed their hats and performed three cheers for The Queen.
This year is the Bicentenary of Her Majesty’s Body Guard for Scotland, and the largest Reddendo Parade in history, with 25 officers and 298 archers on show.
As The Queen watched on, The Duke inspected the Royal Company of Archers during the parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. pic.twitter.com/zYK8S3Jk8W
— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) June 30, 2022
The Duke of Rothesay, our future King, inspected the group and shook hands with them. Whilst The Queen was presented with a Reddendo, which is a gift from the officers and archers to mark the Bicentenary of The Queen’s Body Guard for Scotland.
The Archers’ most regular duty is to be in attendance at the annual Holyrood garden party, and outside St Giles’ Cathedral in the Scottish capital at the installation of Knights of the Order of the Thistle. Members must be Scots or have strong Scottish connections, and be elected to join. The group was originally formed in 1672 as an archery club.
This year the Reddendo was in the form of a striking glass sculpture designed by Colin Reid. Speaking about the gift, The Queen commented: ‘Oh, how lovely,’ and noted how it was ‘much better’ than two arrows.
Traditionally, reigning Monarchs are presented with two arrows from The Queen’s Body Guard for Scotland Archers.
Prince Charles inspected the soldiers on Parade. (Royal Family)
The gift was presented with the traditional words spoken by the Captain General: “According to our ancient Charter, I present to Your Majesty the reddendo, craving that Your Majesty will be graciously pleased to continue Your royal countenance and recognition of all the ancient rights and privileges of the Royal Company of Archers, Your Majesty’s Body Guard for Scotland.”
Previous reddendoes have included a crystal goblet with an engraving of Archers shooting in the gardens of the Palace following an Inspection Parade in 1976, and a reddendo pen tray for her 80th birthday, which is on display in the Great Gallery at Holyrood Palace.
During The Queen’s reign, a Reddendo has been presented on three occasions. Following an Inspection Parade in 1976, The Queen was presented with a Reddendo in the form of a crystal goblet with an engraving of Archers shooting in the gardens of the Palace. pic.twitter.com/V5RAqVkHoF
— Royal Collection Trust (@RCT) June 30, 2022
The Queen has attended several engagements for Holyrood Week. On day one of Holyrood Week, she made her first public appearance since the Platinum Jubilee weekend, by attending the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. She also made an appearance at the Act of Loyalty Parade on Tuesday.
